Safety Protocols

Always consult with your doctor before embarking on a new exercise programme.

Ensure your horse is in good health and that he has been checked over by a veterinarian. He should be suitable for the purpose of having Equestrian Tai Chi practiced on his back, he must be used to being ridden and handled and have a good temperament.

You should be wearing a correctly fitting hat that is in good condition with the standard safety marks. You should also be wearing riding boots/jodhpur boots.

Your horse should be properly tacked up, the tack should fit correctly and be in good condition. The girth should be checked to ensure it is not loose after mounting.

Equestrian Tai Chi should always be practiced while the horse is standing still. Your horse should always have a responsible person with knowledge of horses holding him, while you are performing Equestrian Tai Chi.

Equestrian Tai Chi should always be practiced in an enclosed area, on a soft surface, with no dangerous machinery, jumps, forks, or anything else nearby, that could cause harm if you or your horse were to accidentally come in contact with them.

The environment should be suitable for practicing Equestrian Tai Chi, with no activities happening in the vicinity, that would have potential to frighten horses, for instance, loud machinery, other horses galloping by, children running around, dogs running about, etc.

Should Equestrian Tai Chi ever be practiced in a group, or in the company of other horses, ensure that the horses do not stand too close to each other, in case one of them should kick.

Keep your practice to ten to fifteen minute sessions. It is important to build your Chi slowly and let your horse to get used to it slowly.